Some people leave footprints on our heart.
Cats leave fur on our sweaters.
Dogs leave drool on our shoes.
Families will crap on our doorstep.
So when life gives you crap, garden it and make roses.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

RAINBOW PRIDE

This is Curtin University of Technology in Perth and that is the Rainbow flag flying. For the rest of this story and the launch of the Ally Program by the Vice Chancellor go to http://themuriels.blogspot.com.

Also read their posts on the campaigns of the Christian Democratic Party and the Salt Shakers to influence politicians about removing discrimination against same sex couples. These 'christians' readily admit that same sex couples are a very small minority in the community but they are still determined not to allow them the same equality as any other tax paying Australian citizen.

7 comments:

laura
said...

JT, I highly praise anyone, anyone at all, who makes a commitment to another person to share a life and a family together, whatever their gender. I think it's just wonderful that people find soulmates in one another and make sacrifices to be together regardless of society's cruel consequences. I very much believe in the rights of people to be wed whatever their gender. I write all this only because I am a single hetero female with no family who has never been lucky enough to find anyone to share my life with. I live alone and am self-employed, I make very little money, and as for health insurance, I pay $6500 per year for the privelege of a $4K deductible (excess). I tell you this because in the US we have various legislative initiatives up to make same-sex marriage a fully-recognised legal event. I have absolutely no problem with these initiatives, but now anyone who hitches up with another person, regardless of gender, will ideally see insurance benefits regarding employment. So, the only people who still must pay thru the nose are people like me who haven't "found someone," and a double-whammy for those of us who are self-employed (because we pay higher income tax). This stinks. I don't expect you or anyone to have much of a solution for me, and I certaily don't want gay rights folks thinking I am against anyone, but I just thought I would mention this here. Being single and self-employed (and not of retirement age) means folks like me are the only ones left paying the "whole, undiscounted bill" for life. And sad as it is for me to say this cuz I love kids: I am glad I don't have kids because I would be on the public dole by now if I did.

Sorry for the lengthy response above. I just wanted to mention my situation so that maybe people will be a little more considerate of the single person, too. Single people don't have a "coalition" that will fight for them.

I don't think your response was long at all, and I'm not up with the health system in the US, but that's where the rage began for well-off young women to dash around childless into their late thirties -as they do here, and then at about thirty-eight see the emptiness ahead and want to become pregnant, by which time it's getting a bit dangerous. Well they'd decided to have all their youth to themselves, and will end up with twenty year-old kids who are two generations distant. How stupid. Living alone is like travelling alone, I've always preferred it, but as you get older you change your mind a bit. I'm single, but with an adult daughter who gave me hell when she was little, but who is now an enormous help; someone who'll take things back to stores for me, and sort out other mistakes as well. It's marvellous; I just have to act a bit dumb, that's all. Well you might be unhappy with your lot, but cheer up, because you're living in the Land of Novelty; the brightest most interesting country on earth. You need to get rid of Hollywood, that's all. Then you'll start to live normal.

Laura, my sister is single with one son and the tax and double medicare levy she pays is astronomical. Themuriels, being classed as single in everything, pay the same. The issue is not just about money but recognition of partnership especially where children are involved. At the moment, we have different arrangements in every state. If you go to themuriels blog, they'll be happy to tell you just how difficult life can be with no legal recognition.

As for being single, never say never although I will because I'm happily divorced even though he did get away with all the money.

Rh, don't you know that thirty is the new twenty which makes you younger than ever.